Warnings: this and that.

Disclaimer: I don't own anything to do with Bleach.

Ichigo was angry and frustrated, when he first decided to joined in on helping in this war he didn't remember anything about him taking over his unit, fighting off hordes of shinigami that want to capture him rather than kill him, nor becoming a target for some assassins that were sent by an unknown group hell bent on offing him. Though Ichigo should've realized that it's just a normal occurrence for him too.

Ever since he watched the one person who could've told him who was causing him trouble, and was the most likely person who was sending hired killers at him, die by an arrow through the chest the teen had been getting close to losing what control he had over his temper. The assassination attempts only started soon after the thief was killed and Ichigo with some help sent those bodies back in pieces.

The orangette sighed again when he felt his reiatsu pulse outward. He quickly clamps down on it. "There still no word from either the communications nor Keiths group?" he asks one of his scouts that just reported back.

"No sir, nor were there any signs of those responsible for the recent attacks," the scout finished.

"Figures," the teen mutters. "Ah alright go get you something to eat and get some rest."

"Yes sir, um sire maybe you should follow your own advice," the scout said hesitantly.

Ichigo had to give it to the man; he didn't back away from the teens scowl when the ex-substitute looked up at the man with a raised bow. He should've have excepted that, his whole unit where something like mother hens it has only gotten worse when the attempts started. He was never without a bodyguard now and that was very close to becoming an annoyance. It was due to Zangetsu that he hadn't blown up yet. Though he made no promises when the next attempts happen nor when the Shinigami's came calling.

Seeing that the scout was waiting for him the teen sighed again, he could see this becoming a habit. "Alright, I guess I can take a small break." He gets to following the scout to the mess tent only to be yanked by the head doctor and forced into a seat.

Glaring up at said man the doctor only snorted and shoved a plate full of food in front of Ichigo who was about to protest the action only to stop when a spoon full of mashed potatoes was shoved in his mouth. He glared as he chewed and waved off anymore spoons with food.

"I get it alright! I'll eat," he says taking the offered spoon.

"Good then off to bed with you I do not need more work," the doctor growled before leaving with instructions that Ichigo was to eat another serving before he was allowed to leave.

'man; that man is stubborn,' Ichigo finished eating but as he waited for another plate he used the time to check up on everybody.

"Your men just worry about you Ichigo."

'well they shouldn't have too. There are a lot more things to worry about then me.'

"You're an idiot King."

'who asked you,' Ichigo chose to ignored then other being until after he got back to his tent. It was something he was being forced to get use too. When he was with his small group of friends it was harder to see how they worried about him but he guessed that they also knew that he didn't need constant supervision. With this new group that was larger and wasn't in a constant state of movement or danger it was easier to see. He wished that his situation came with a guide book it would make everything so much easier.

"Now when has anything pertaining to you ever easy?" came Zangetsu snide remark.

'shut up.'

oOooOooOooOooOo

Grimmjow snarled scaring several healers in the process but he didn't care. He had every reason to feel like an enrage animal. Sitting next to him in another bed was Shinji who was in the same mood as him though he kept his temper in check. They woke in the healers tents to find that the last attack had taken their Princes soon after they were struck by an unknown skilled archer. What was worse in their minds was that there had been no word on the youngest Prince's unit and many that knew the young man were worried that he too had been captured.

It had taken the King and others to keep both the Espada's and the Vizards from going after the ones responsible for the kidnapping. With no word from their scouts or spies trying to mount a rescues mission would be like fighting blind. The two second in command's wanted to head to check up on the unit that Ichigo was in but that had been turned down by their superiors with the reason that they couldn't afford any more losses. So there they sat under constant supervision and both were ready to chew any who dare come close.

"Ya think the kids still there?" Grimmjow asks in a low whisper.

"Heh I don't see them damn bastards getting close. He is fine, he's got that mountain looking after him and if his stay with us was anything I am sure that his unit has already seen to that he wouldn't be taken," Shinji answer in the same volume studying the nurse's rotations. "But its best we get out of here and attend to our own lost charges."

"But we shouldn't send word about what happen to them?"

"are you nuts? If we did that he be racing out of there to rescue them himself. no, its best that we deal with this ourselves."

"yeah fine…heh if he did fine out and beat us there you can imagen what Shiro would say about it."

Shinji shivered at the image, 'no doubt Kaien would be the same.'

They were interrupted when Jason, who took care of Ichigo, came by. He gave them one looks then looked around before dropping a scroll in Grimmjow's lap then hurrying off. The bluenette watched curiously before opening the scroll. Shinji watched the man grin and leaned over to read it. He stared wide eyed before his grin matched Grimmjow's.

"Well, I guess this means that we are given the go ahead then," the blond said.

"yeah but they want us to check on Ichigo's unit first, just to make sure that he hasn't been taken too. But we are not to let them know that we are there in case our little berry is still safe and sound." Grimmjow handed the scroll to Shinji who hid it under his pillow. "We don't need him to follow us behind enemy lines."

"Very true, we don't need a repeat of the last time," the blond agreed.

They spent the next few hours going over strategies on how to rescue their missing Princes. They had plan on leaving that night when everyone that could hold them down would be sleeping. Their only problem was finding out just where the youngest Princes unit was at the moment. The scroll had told them that the main army had lost contact with several units including Ichigo's. So the two second in commands were going in blind.

They only had a small tidbit of information to go on and that wasn't much by any standards but it was all they had. The two officers were met at the camp perimeter with Jason who had two horses and two packs of supplies.

"I was to tell you that when you confirmed that his Highness is still with his unit to send word. His Highness the King wished to know every detail on Ichigo's unit." The medic said then he left.

"well at least we won't be going out unprepared," Shinji said.

Grimmjow only nodded before swinging up onto the horse. He doesn't wait for the blond to follow too impatient to leave. If his memory of Ichigo's own time with the Shinigami was anything to go by then Shiro and Kaien would be worse off.

"Hey wait up pussycat!"

oOooOooOooOooOo

Ichigo glared down at the body in front of him, another assassin had been sent to kill him and had failed. Only this time Ichigo wasn't the one to end him; the man took his own life once he been found out and surrounded. Whoever was sending them was getting more desperate as the attacks were getting more and more frequent. Ichigo was getting more and more pissed off. Though he hid it pretty well.

"Ya know if I see another one of these ass holes I am going to go full hollow on them," the teen growled.

"Finally! I can't wait to come out and play."

"Who said that you get to come out? this is all me."

"Wah, no fair King you get to have all the fun. Weren't you taught to share?" the zanpakuto pouted.

Ichigo rolled his eyes as the body was dragged away. He couldn't shake the feeling that there was more going on then what was happening to him. but he hadn't paid much mind to it when being surprised by people who wanted to kill him. Now, the feeling had intensified and Ichigo couldn't help but worry about his brothers.

"Sir!" one of his men snapped a salute. "We found that he had tampered with some of our food and water supplies. Our grains are lost and half of the barrels of water are contaminated. The doctor has order that anyone that had eaten or drunk out of them to report to him immediately."

"Just how many were affected?" the teen turns towards the bunker that held most of the food and water. "And how much was salvageable?"

"uncertain as of now on how many men were affected but over half of our water had to be poured out and a third of our food had be to tossed." The soldier said.

"Damn, okay take some men and go into the swamp to that fresh water spring and start collecting water, but make sure to inform the others especially that mess staff to boil the water before use. We'll have to have hunting parties to keep our perishables stocked and as for our non-perishables, uh I'll have to assigned three people to guard the bunker." The teen ran a hand threw his orange spikes. "Okay, tell the doctor that anyone that he could release for light duty to have them start guarding the food bunker."

"Yes Sir!" the soldier saluted and ran off to do as he been ordered.

Ichigo sighed before going off to hear more on the situation before going to his tent. As he was walking he started to fill like someone was watching him and not in a good way. as he neared his tent Ichigo on the spur of the moment changed course and started to head over to a very dark area of the camp. It was one of the areas that was supposed to be guarded but as of right now it wasn't leaving it open for him to confront the one stalking him.

'like hell I'll be prey, whoever is following me will find that they are going to become the prey,' Ichigo grinned and his hollow started coming to the surface.

It was when the person came in range of Ichigo's senses that the teen could recognize him. Now nothing will hold the teen back from unleashing his fury.

"Well well I guess you didn't die huh Colonel." Ichigo says to a shadow behind him. "I wonder how you survive when others didn't; or was it you that sent that bolt of lightning on everyone's heads?"

"What better way to get rid of the weaklings, though I wished that those bastard Shinigami took care of you but I guess that's too much to ask for." The man sneers.

"Yeah well can't have everything in life," the teen waltzes around keeping the man in sight. He could feel others just beyond the trees and none were part of Ichigo's unit.

"Oh but I intend to have everything. I was hoping to let the Shinigami do all the work for me but I see that getting rid of you I have to do that myself."

"Saner men then you have tried and they all failed," Ichigo slowly brought out both blades and let his power fill the area; he smirked when he felt most of those hiding feint. Though he was annoyed that his ex-Colonel was still standing but panting and sweating.

"that may be true but I doubt that they had what I have," the man said cryptically.

"What do ya mean?"

"Oh? You haven't been told yet...hehe hahah just my luck! I would think that my dear uncle would have sent word to you or at least take his newest son off the battlefield."

'what is he talking about?' Ichigo tried to keep his confusion covered but he started to think that the man in front of him was going insane.

"I am not surprise that you don't know but let me tell you about our families little dark secret," the raving man leaned in close but Ichigo took a step back. "Your new daddy had an older brother that was supposed to take the throne once the old geezer died. However, due to some misunderstanding he was denied and Isshin was given the throne. And my family was supposed to just accept that we were not meant to have it. But then the Sereitiei go involved and that little snit Mugetsu was killed off. He was such a pain in the ass but with that idiot king in grief I started to set ways to help along the rest of the family but turns out that they are too stubborn to die. But then," here he smiled at the horrified orangette. "You came along and I just felt that the old High King should be informed about your presences. Just my luck that you are just as stubborn to die but I had hope that during your little escapades that someone would kill you. Then imagen my surprise that you ended up in my unit, ha, how could I let such an opportunity go."

Ichigo was moving before he knew he was moving and only realized with the loud clang of metal echo throughout the area. The ex-Colonel sneered up at the snarling youth.

"Hit a nerve did I? well, then you are going to love this then," the man leaned up near the teens ear and in a low whisper told him what he had yet to hear about. "your darling brothers are now in the hands of the Sereitiei. They shouldn't be in pain for long so do everyone a favor and just let yourself be killed, I'll take good care of your non-mother my fake Prince."

Ichigo snapped and used half of his strength to bared down the man's sword to only have it snap in half taking the hand that was holding it. Ignoring the scream of pain Ichigo continued his assault on the traitor hacking at every angle. He didn't even register that he was bring hit with arrows until he was snapped back by an arm and surrounded by fire.

"Damn it I leave you for a while and here you are getting full of holes again!"

"Let go!"

"Hell no!" Ichigo was spun around and glaring back into a set of gray eyes belonging to Keith. "While I get that you want to run the guy through, believe me I do who wouldn't when their families are threaten, but listen if you kill him now then how are you going to explain it to your father? Ichigo," Keith said in a softer tone. "Don't turn into something you're not or do something that you may regret."

"Like hell-

"and what if what he said was true about your brothers? He may have more information that you won't be able to get if he is dead," Keith finished.

Ichigo stared at the taller man his anger as high as the flames that separated him and the mad Colonel. But he had to admit that Keith did have some good points and with the uncertainty that Shiro and Kaien were not where they are supposed to be Ichigo didn't want to let his anger get in the way of helping them.

"Fine," he said through gritted teeth.

Keith nodded but stopped before letting the wall down, "You can kill him after we get all the information out of him."

Ichigo gave a small grin at that as he followed Keith out and came upon a bound and gag traitor. The sense of a little satisfaction slip through his mask and the man caught it but all he could do was growl. But he was ignored and hauled off.

Keith started to dragged Ichigo out of the dark corner and towards a very irritate doctor. The teen could hear the snickers and the grumbles followed by the slap of money hitting palms. He was hoping to get heal before he was traded off but he wasn't getting any help from Zangetsu. Apparently there had been a betting pool on him over something. He was not pleased but didn't have the heart to stop them in the little fun they could have. He just wished that he wasn't the center of it.

oOooOooOooOooOo

the following days Ichigo was kept away from the traitor as Keith went about the interrogation. He has had little luck and Ichigo was becoming impatient. It wasn't that the teen cared about the man's life story but he had to know if he knew anything about Kaien and Shiro. but if Ichigo found out that the two had been taken captive then it placed him in a very tight spot. No matter how much he wanted to go and bring the two back to safety he couldn't leave his unit without someone in charge.

"What am I going to do?"

"Why are you even asking yerself that when you already know the answer."

"But-

"Ichigo, they will follow you on your word alone. If it is your wish to go rescue them then your comrades will follow."

"I was afraid you say something like that; but first let's see if that bastard was lying or not." Ichigo quit his pacing and went to find Keith. "if there is any truth then I need to figure out how to go about this. We can't leave this area unguarded."

As he walks Ichigo noticed that the standard on the flags had changed. Instead of Kuro's flaming sword on a black background the ones surrounding the camp what Ichigo could describe as a black Asian style dragon with matching wings and two long taper horns. It was like they had taken parts of Ichigo's hollowfied form and his new wings and just mish mash them together.

He wasn't sure if that was a good thing or not but let it go. But if he was honest he did like it better then what their standard used to be. His men have taken to calling themselves wyverns. Which was better than having his men try to come up with something like what his hollowfied form looked like.

He was brought out of his musings when he felt more then saw Keith come up behind him. "Its not polite to sneak up on your commanding officer," he says with a grin when Keith snorted.

"Fine I'll make sure to remember that when I see my commanding officer but there is nothing in the book about doing it to friends," Keith rounded the teen stepping in front of him. "so which do you want to hear first the good news or the bad news?"

"You pick either way it's going be a headache."

"Well apparently that bastard had someone on the inside, I only left him for a few minutes and I come back to find him dead. Doc says it was poison." Ichigo groaned at the impcalions but Keith was quick to move on. "the kitchen staff have already been put on alert and the guards have as well. Now for the good news. Our communications are up and running though we can only get as far as the nearest unit and that's on clear days. No telling how it will be on cloudy or rainy days."

"Well what gossip did you get?" Ichigo was amused at Keith's expression.

Keith pouted but he turned serious, "What you were told was true. Princes Kaien and Shirosaki have been captured and taken to the Sereitiei, no word on if they are alive or not." Ichigo stood rock still, he couldn't think and he wished that Keith had heard wrong. Keith seeing the teens conflicted thinking decided to bring up something that the whole camp had already thought over. "So when are we leaving?"

"Huh?"

"When do you, the one in charge, want to head out to mount a rescue mission?"

Ichigo stared at the man like he was crazy but his question did make Zangetsu's point from their earlier conversation. But he also knew that they couldn't just up and leave and he was going to make that point when they were interrupted by one of the soldiers that had guard duty that night.

"Highness; Captain, we found two suspicious men around the east side of the camp. It took ten men each to bring them in and they have been saying that they are second in commands of both Vizard and Espada companies. We have them at the center of the camp awaiting on you your highness to verified their claims."

Ichigo and Keith were curious and followed the soldier. Much to Ichigo amusement and Keiths there in the center of the camp tied up and gag were both Grimmjow and Shinji. Ichigo couldn't hold it in and laugh. The two men growled threw their gags. Once he had control of himself Ichigo walked right up to the two men and ungagged them he steps back as they wiggled out of the ropes.

"I supposed that there is a reason why you two are here and not forcing yourselves across the border getting Kaien and Shiro back."

The two looked at Ichigo then to each other before Shinji sighed, "Well the cats out of the bag."

"How did ya know?"

"A very long story that I was hoping that Isshin could clarify but…maybe you can tell me something."

"But let's get all of ya'll back to Ichigo's tent," Keith says stepping between Ichigo and Grimmjow. "The rest of ya'll have your chores for the night so get to it!"

The soldiers scatter and Ichigo with Shinji and Grimmjow head towards his home away from home. they were soon joined by Keith who had gotten them some water and out of season dried fruit.

"So kid spill what the hell happen here?"

"Well…"

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Chapter End.

Thanks for reading.